The soup kitchen, which is operated every Friday from around midday at the Nowra Showground committee rooms, attracted 23 people to its first opening last week.

Sisters Sue Hill of Culburra Beach and Shannon Chittick of Pyree with the help of a band of volunteers and support from various local businesses have launched the program, which will run until December.

The Missionaries of Charity was founded by Mother Teresa and for many years the sisters have volunteered at a similar program in Surry Hills.

They have modelled the local operation on that.

“We saw the need to establish such a service in the Shoalhaven and in particular in the Nowra area,” Mrs Hill said.

“There is a high unemployment rate and a lot of homeless people in the area and we felt there was the need for such a service.

“I know another church provides a sandwich run but we felt there was the need to be able to present a nice warm lunch, somewhere out of the weather.

“There was a great atmosphere there last week. We had 23 people turn up for meals, not just homeless people but people who are doing it tough.

“That was a great start, especially as it was such a wet day.

“The support has been fantastic. We have 35 volunteers who will work on a monthly roster,” she said.

“Shoalhaven City Council has provided the committee rooms and numerous local businesses have provided food.

“The St Michael’s Parish has also been very supportive, while St Vincent de Paul Society, Nowra Village Hot Bake, East Nowra Butchery, Bakehouse Delights bakery at East Nowra, Nowra Farmers Market and Nowra Fresh Fish and Meat Markets have all backed the venture.

“We aim to provide a three-course meal, including soup, a main meal and dessert.

“It’s all being run on donations.

“We have a retired chef working with the group and a couple of women who are very good cooks also helping out.

“I think the volunteers get as much out of being able to help as the people who receive the meals – it’s like a double mission.

“With the showground also close to the Shoalhaven Homeless Hub, people are able to go there and use the facilities, maybe have a shower and then come up and have some lunch.”

She said left-over donated food was also made available to the disadvantaged.

“We had one family that has taken in 10 homeless children come in, and we were able to give them some food to help,” Mrs Hill said.

The soup kitchen is open at the Nowra Showground committee rooms each Friday from 11.50am for a cup of tea and a chat, with meals served from 12.20pm.

People wishing to volunteer to help at the soup kitchen or provide food should contact Suzanne on 0435 336 195.